Indiana State Department of Health

Office of Women's HealthOffice of Women's Health

Welcome to Indiana State Department of Health’s Office of Women’s Health webpage. The Office of Women’s Health (OWH) is so pleased that you have chosen to learn about how our state is working to help improve the health of women. We believe that every woman should have access to free, up-to-date and reliable resources to find out information about her health. The Office of Women’s Health wants to ensure that each woman and girl in Indiana is aware of her own health status, risks and goals, and can achieve optimal health through access, education and advocacy. Our website is inclusive of all OWH’s programs, and has a page of resources to help guide you in improving your health. If you have any questions or need information that is not included on our website, please feel free to call 317-233-9156 or email lchavez@isdh.in.gov. Thank you so much for visiting our site, and we wish you good health!

News to Use

The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Trauma and Injury Prevention submitted a successful application for the CDC Grant funding opportunity to establish the Indiana Violent Death Reporting System (INVDRS).

INVDRS purpose: To collect, maintain, and disseminate complete and comprehensive surveillance data on violent deaths that occurred in Indiana beginning January 1, 2015.

Violent death: A death resulting from the intentional use of physical force or power against oneself, another person, or against a group or community. These deaths include:

Homicides, suicides, and deaths occurring when law enforcement exerts deadly force in the line of duty (legal intervention).

The INVDRS will collect information about unintentional firearm injury deaths and on deaths where the intent cannot be determined (undetermined deaths).

Critical output: To establish INVDRS as a surveillance system to collect high quality and comprehensive information on violent death. The INVDRS will monitor and assess the magnitude, trends, and characteristics of violent deaths through collecting comprehensive data from various existing data sources.

Data will be collected from:

Death certificates

Coroner reports that include toxicology reports

Law enforcement records

Child Fatality Review (optional module)

The system will collect information on who dies violently, where victims are killed, when they are killed, and what factors were perceived to contribute or precipitate the death to better understand the circumstances surrounding violent death in Indiana to inform prevention efforts. The CDC award provides funding to utilize the software and to implement an abstraction process (people, technical support, etc.) to collect and analyze the data.

INVDRS goal: To translate research findings into prevention strategies by disseminating useful, actionable data to guide, support, and improve local, state, and national violence prevention policies, programs, and practices.

Project priorities:

Create and implement the INVDRS.

Collect and abstract comprehensive data on violent deaths occurring in Indiana using the CDC guidelines and web-based data entry system from various sources.

Explore innovative methods of collecting, reporting, and sharing data for improved timeliness and greater utilization of data for prevention efforts.

For more information about Trauma and Injury Prevention, as well as the INVDRS grant, please visit the Indiana State Department of Health Division of Trauma and Injury Prevention webpage at http://www.in.gov/isdh/19537.htm.

Spotlight on Women’s Health

The Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) is the Hoosier implementation of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). The BCCP provides access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostic testing, and treatment for underserved and underinsured women who qualify for services. Through the BCCP, female Indiana residents may qualify for free breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic tests. Services provided include:

·Colposcopies (with or without biopsies)

·Liquid-based cytology tests

·High risk panel HPV testing

·Office visits

·Pelvic exams/tests

·Clinical breast exams (CBEs)

·Mammograms (screening and diagnostic)

·Diagnostic breast ultrasounds

·Breast biopsies

·Consultations

If you are a woman living in Indiana, and have financial difficulty in getting the breast and cervical healthcare you need, the Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) may be able to help you. Female Indiana residents who are uninsured may qualify for free breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic tests (if needed after abnormal screening results) through the BCCP. Eligibility is determined by age and gross income in relation to family size. Women ages:

·40-49 can qualify for a free office visit and Pap test

·50-64 can qualify for a free office visit, Pap test, and mammogram

·65 and older can qualify for a free office visit, Pap test, and mammogram only if not enrolled in Medicare B

For women already diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer outside of the BCCP, qualification for Indiana MA-12 (Medicaid) is available. Women ages 18-64 are eligible for MA-12. The income eligibility requirements for this program, called Option 3, are the same as those listed above. If MA-12 enrollment is granted, it will remain active throughout the duration of cancer treatment and will terminate upon treatment completion.For more information about the Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, please visit http://www.in.gov/isdh/24967.htm. Information can also be provided through the Indiana Family Helpline by calling 1-855-HELP-1ST (1-855-435-7178).

Movers and Shakers

The Raphael Health Center provides community-based, full service, high quality health care. They are taking this even further as they reach more women with a grant renewal received from the American Cancer Society. The grant, funded by the NFL, assists the center to serve patients by providing outreach, education and access to screening. Last year, they screened 772 women! We’re excited about what 2015 will bring.

The Office of Women’s Health recognizes that advancements in women’s health do not happen on their own. There are many amazing women and men behind the scenes working to improve the health of our Indiana communities through tireless efforts and advocacy for women’s health. If you know an individual whose creativity, innovative work or diligent efforts have made a real difference in your community, and would like this individual considered to be highlighted in the “Movers and Shakers” section of the OWH webpage, please email Laura Chavez, Director of the Office of Women’s Health, at lchavez@isdh.in.gov.

Keep up with OWH!

Visit the Office of Women’s Health webpage for regular updates on women’s health-related issues and community services and programs that help promote women’s health and wellness across the state.